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Prayers of support go out to the Skywalker.
By MARAH RUIZ


 
Many were surprised when retired PBA basketball player Avelino "Samboy" Lim Jr. was rushed to the hospital last November 28.

Samboy collapsed due to a heart attack during a practice session for an upcoming exhibition game with other PBA legends.

More shocked were his colleagues who had no inkling of his health problems.

"Nakakabigla. Nabigla kami sa nangyari talaga. Kasi ang alam namin sobrang fit si Boss Sam eh. Fit na fit talaga ‘yun. We didn't expect na ganun ang mangyayari sa kanya. Nakakagulat talaga," basketball player LA Tenorio tells StarTalk.

Olsen Racela, one of his former teammates at San Miguel and in the national team, also shared his insights.

"Sa nangyari kay Samboy, nakikita natin na hindi porke physically fit ka, hindi porke athlete ka, eh hindi mangyayari sa iyo ‘yung ganon. Lahat ng mga tao naman kahit hindi athlete eh talagang kailangang alagaan ang katawan," he says.

When StarTalk asked him for his message to Samboy, Olsen says he want his teammate to hang on.

"Ang message ko lang sa kanya, just hang on. Maraming sumosuporta sa kanya. Hindi lang pamilya niya, hindi lang kaibigan niya, buong Pilipinas. Buong Philippine Basketball Team at buong basketball community lahat sumusuporta sa kanya," Olsen says.

Japeth Aguilar, son of one of Samboy's former teammates Peter Aguilar, also sends his support. "Sana po ipagdasal po natin si Sir Samboy Lim. Sana patnubayan siya ng Diyos at iiwas sya sa anumang mga sakuna. Sana gumaling siya."

As of writing, Samboy remains unconscious at the intensive care unit of The Medical City.

"We continue to wait for significant change in the neurologic condition of Mr. Samboy Lim. His cardiac status and body organs remain stable. He continues to be in the ICU. His family is deeply grateful for all the prayers, and humbly requests for more," the hospital's statement read. 

Here is StarTalk's report: